Checking or unchecking device.



Patented May 8, |900.

No. 649,I63.

W. H. FERRIS. CHECKING OR'UNGHEUK'ING DEVICE. (Application inea may 2, 1899.) (Nn Model.)

NTTED STATES y PATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM H. FERRIS, OF IVASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN E. MCKINNEY AND EDWARD G. CADLE, OF SAME PLACE.

CHECKING OR UNCHECKING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 649,163, dated May 8, 1900.

Application led May.2,1899. Serial N0. 715;2'76. (No model.)

To all zzz/"wm it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. FERRIs, a citizen of the United States, residing at \Vashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Checking or Unchecking Devices; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in devices for checking and unchecking horses, and especially to a device of this character in which the check-hook is de-I tachably held to a plate mounted on the saddle of the harness, means being provided whereby the rear end of the shank portion of the hook is released from engagement with a shoulder or catch of the plate, thus allowing the hook to which the check-strap is connected to be drawn forward, giving the horse freedom to lower its head, and the device checked up by manipulating the reins, which are connected to a strap or cord attached to the check-hook.

More specifically, the present invention resides in the provision of a checking and unchecking device in which the check-hook is made up of two sections hinged together, one section comprising the check-engaging hook, the other having a hooked end, which is held normally in engagement with a shouldei1 or catch on the plate secured to the saddle of the harness by means of a spring, which spring yields as the hooked end of the hinged section of the hook is drawn down to disengage same from the plate, thus allowing the hook to be withdrawn in the act of the horse throwing its head forward.

To these ends and to such others as the invention may pertain the same consists, further, in the novel construction, combination, and adaptation of parts, as will be hereinafter more fully described and then specilically defined in the appended claim.

My invention is clearlyillustrated inthe accom panyin g drawings, which, with the letters the hook is adapted to be held. Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3 3 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 is a sectional View on line 4 Il of Fig. 2.

Reference now being had to the details of the drawings by letter, A designates two coniplemental portions of the plate, which may be of any ornamental shape desired, said portions being held together by means of rivets B or other fastening means. Swiveled to the two sections of the plate is the threaded shank C, having the shoulders D, which confine the shank to the two plates and allowing the plates to rock on the portion of the threaded shank between said shoulders.

The hook E, to which the checkstrap is designed to be held, is of such a shape as to allow the strap to engage same and be readily re leased therefrom, and said hook has hinged, thereto a shank portion F, hinged at F to the forked arms of the hook E. The free end of said shank portion F is provided with a hook F2, through the head of which a screw G is passed,which is provided to fasten the strap H to the under recessed face of shank portion F in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

In orderto hold the hooked end of the shank portion F in its highest position and in engagement with the shoulders A of the plate sections, a spring K is provided, one end of which bears against the bottom of the platesections and is mounted on a pin L, while the free end of the sprin g bears yieldingly against the under side of the shank portion F or the strap attached thereto, as plainly seen in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Mounted on a pin N, carried by the plate-sections, is an antifriction wheel or roller M, Fig. 2 of the drawings, and under this passes the strap H, which may be either connected to the rein or be attached in any suitable manner to a cord passing tion or catch the latter may be disconnected from the shoulder on the casing without first overcoming the pulling force that the horse exerts in attempting to lower its head before being unchecked. As the horse is pulling either on an overdraw or straight check the outer hooked portion of the checkhook will be respectively pulled slightly up or down sufficient to throw the strain on the walls of y the aperture in which the shank of the hook drawn back into the socket in the plate-sections, and the tension of the spring K will cause the hooked end F2 to engage with the shoulder A', as will be readily understood.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim to be new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

As an improved article of manufacture a checking and unchecking device for a harness comprising two complemental hollow plates forming a casing when fastened together, each plate having a laterally-extending shoulder A extending half the width of the casing and having their faces flush., combined with a check-hook having a pivoted shank portion with a hook at its free end for engagement with said shoulder, a strap se cured to the under face of the pivoted shank portion,'an antifriction-roller under which said strap passes and a spring designed to normally hold the hook, of said pivoted shank portion, in engagement with said shoulder, as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

VILLIAM H. FERRIS.

ituessesz p A. L. IloUoH, E. C. GOODWIN. 

